BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In 2015, B.A.S.S. celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Bassmaster Elite Series with a schedule that commemorates some of the greatest events in bass fishing history. Six of the sites have hosted Elite tournaments in the past decade, and all eight fisheries are among the finest venues the sport has to offer for the best anglers in the business.

“It’s fitting that the 10th Elite Series season features such prominent and important fisheries,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin in announcing the 2015 schedule. “The schedule spans the country from coast to coast and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, and it includes some of the very best bass lakes and rivers in the country — and some of the most challenging.” See photos of the 2015 schedule. Read More

By Charlie Hartley Apr 16, 2014 - Every now and again I like to use this column to talk about one of the other anglers fishing the Elite Series. This week we’re going to take a look at Mike McClelland. In my humble opinion, he’s one of the best out there, and a man who deserves more press and accolades than he gets.

I don’t claim to be a close friend of his, although I do know him. That said, I’ve watched him for years. Do not be fooled by his reputation as a jerkbait angler. He is that, but he’s also about as versatile as a guy can get. Read More

Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., had no way of predicting his future, but the foundation of his bass fishing future was built at Table Rock Lake, beginning when he was 9 or 10 years old, when he was "fishing with people who knew what they were doing."

That included an uncle who worked as a guide on Table Rock.

"I remember we threw a Wiggle Wart (crankbait) or a spinnerbait or a plastic worm," said the 46-year-old McClelland. "In the spring, during prespawn, it was just two baits, a Wiggle Wart and a spinnerbait. Read More